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| Stansted Park Tea Rooms |
Welcome to my wheelsucker website. A name given to me by my cousin Sam Roberts. Not a very complimentary name in cycling term’s as it means someone sitting in the wheels all day doing no work on the front. I am the complete opposite to that. My style of riding is full-on, head banging, total cycling.
My name is Graham Young and I will be 65 years old in April 2014. I was born in Chichester, West Sussex and have a brother and sister, Barry and Pamela. Pam taught me to ride a bike. It had solid tyres. My parents Bill and Joan were both members of the Chichester Cycling Club. As was my mums’ brother, Les “Splitpin” Hennings.
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| Chichester Cycling Club 1948. My dad is on the far right hand side |
My first cycling adventure took place when I was only 6 years old. Cycling from Chichester to Bognor Regis and back, with my next door neighbour Robin Elphick, who was only 5. It all ended in disaster when Robins dad came looking for us in his library van and found us returning from Bognor at the old Nelson Arms Pub. As punishment my dad took my front wheel out of my bike for 6 months.
In 1962, I joined my local cycling club, Velo Club Noviomagus and made many friends, whom I am still in contact with now. Sam Roberts, Harry and Mary Smith, Robin Ellis, Dick Goodall and many more. When I was 16 years old I was due to have my best year road racing as a school boy, but they changed the rules so I had to ride as a junior. I left cycling disillusioned. This happened again a few years ago when they changed the Vets standard times in favour of young Vets.
I had to do something competitive so I took up Motocross. These were happy years and I made some good friends. Don Short, Don Heather, Donald Kirk and Phil Haddow, to name a few.
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| All day ride to Box Hill - July 2013 |
Fast forward and I am 30 years old, married with 2 sons, Paul and Stephen. Cycling again having joined the Bognor Regis Cycling Club and riding time trials on a regular basis. 10 years later I am divorced and have my 2 boys to look after. Also I get made redundant from Chichester Press. A very difficult time for me, but thanks to my sister Pam and her husband Stan, I get through it.
I give up cycling for 3 years, until the boys are older, and start going out on Sunday morning club runs. It is at this time that I get a job with Princes Shippams, a local food manufacturer and I stayed there until my retirement at Christmas 2013.
In 1995, I started my first adventure in to long distance cycling. With club mate Dave Prior we cycled John O’Groats to Land End. We did the longer route, taking in Fort William, Glen Coe and Glasgow, instead of going through Edinburgh. This was a 900 mile ride and we did it in 6 days.The first day we rode from John O’Groats to Fort William, 186 miles of hills and the coldest rain I have ever experienced. That year I also discovered the joys of riding Audax events.
In 1996, I started riding more Audax events with Sam. We also rode a magical ride across Spain and France. Living near Portsmouth we took the 36 hours ferry to Bilbao in northern Spain. This was the most horrific sea crossing I have ever experienced. Riding to Estella, Jaca, climbing the Col de Portalet and descending into Lourdes. Next day climbing the Col de Tourmalet, then riding up through France to Caen. Stopping off for 1 night at Dave Roberts (Sam’s brother) place in the Dordogne. An unforgettable time. Sadly Dave is no longer with us.
In 1997, Sam and I reformed the Velo Club Noviomagus and wore the green, white and red colours in Audex events all over the south of England. In 1998, we became super randonnees, which involved riding 200km, 300km, 400km and 600km events in the same year.
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| L - R. Simon Coppard, me, Dave Prior |
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| L-R. Derek Slann and Sam Roberts |
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| Celebrating Paris Brest Paris 1999 |
In 2005, I returned to France on my own. Doing a massive 16 days, 1900 miles ride around France. Taking in the Alps, MT Ventoux and 5 climbs in the Pyrenees. In 2005, I also started riding Sunday club runs with Bognor club and re-joined them that same year.
The idea of riding in the United States had been going round in my head for about 10 years. So in 2010 I decided to do something about it. Flying in to Boston’s Logan Airport on my own was quite daunting. I based myself at a bed and breakfast in the historical town of Lexington. Making my way northwards in to New Hampshire and visiting another town called Chichester. From there heading south west into New York State and riding a long hilly ride to Niagra Falls, returning by a different route. This gave me an insight into how motorists reacted to cyclists on the road. Fortunately everything was okay and the American people were really friendly.
In 2013, I returned to France with club mate Simon Coppard. We rode a 13 day, 1400 mile ride down to the Pyrenees and back. Culminating in riding the famous Col de Tourmalet (2100 meters high). I had changed a lot of equipment on my bike and I was able to test the gearing, pannier bags and new saddle. Now the bike was ready.
America Here I come
There are 100s and 100s of club cyclists out there who could do this ride but I feel this is my time. Through years of club cycling, talking and riding with more experienced riders, I know exactly how to get myself in condition both physically and mentally. You have to have complete faith in your own body, but on this 8500 mile ride, my age could become an issue.
I retired 4 months early, so from Christmas 20013 to the end of April 2014 I am hoping to ride a minimum of 250 miles a week. This will put me in prime condition to start this ride. You can get really fit but your heart, lungs and joints are still 65 years old. That said I have complete confidence in my own ability. I will ride all day in to the wind and rain, uphill and downhill, climb mountains, cross desserts and if necessary ride through the night. I will never give up. I will never abandon. I will always keep those peddles turning.
Derek Stripp
A special mention about fellow Bognor Cycling Club rider Derek Stripp. Unfortunately Derek, who is 75 years old, came off on the ice of the winter of 2013. He is fighting his way back to fitness and is hoping to join up with me in Rome, Georgia. Derek will be flying in to Atlantic City, where he has relatives, then will join me in Rome, which is only about 40 miles away. The plan is he will hire a van and together with his bike drive to that day’s destination, park up and then ride out to meet me. We will be riding for 2 weeks on the Blue Ridge Park Way in the Appalachian Mountains, to the finish in Danvers.
St.Wilfrids Hospice
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| L-R. Brian Mitchell (80), me, Derek Stripp (75). Respect |
St.Wilfrids plays a major role in the lives of the people of Chichester and the surrounding area. I cannot put in to words the love and kindness these angels give to patients and their families. This is why I have decided to try and raise £8,557 for the Hospice (£1 per mile that I am cycling). Please give something. Link up to St-Wilfrids fundraising site, through http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Young-cycles-USA. It is not compulsory, but even a small amount will be appreciated and it will give me that extra incentive when the riding is hard. Thank you. Also a special mention must be made about fellow Bognor Regis Cycling Club rider Val Worthington. She is a nurse at the Hospice and on a recent ride on the Isle of Wight save someone’s life, who was involved in a road traffic collision. She should have received a reward for that or some sort of recognition. My brother-in-laws sister June Fellows also works at the Hospice.
Organising the Greater Adventure of my Life
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| Val Worthington and me |
Boston was always going to be my start and finish point. My first concern was where to leave my bike bag and the clothes I wear on the plane. I contacted Cycling Club Basingstoke, a local Boston cycling club, and Dave Selsky and his partner Jeanne have kindly offered to look after my belongings. Dave has given me some good advice regarding the weather conditions, so I have changed my start date to 12th May, 3 weeks later than originally planned. I can’t thank Dave and Jeanne enough for their help and kindness. This ride would not be possible without them. They live in a town called Danvers, 20 miles north of Boston and this will be my start point. Hopefully I can ride out with them on 11th May on a Sunday club run.
Wheelsucker Website
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| Dave and Jeanne |
My 2 sons Paul and Stephen will be keeping my journey up to date on a regular basis. I will be sending back pictures and all my experiences on a daily basis, providing I can master all the technology.
Paul and his wife Stef will be flying out to Las Vegas at the end of June. I will need help when I reach Nevada. Because of the heat and isolation I cannot carry enough water. Stephen will be flying out 10 days later and will continue to support me.
Around this time I will have the bike serviced, replacing tyres, cassette chain and bottom bracket.
My Bike
· Frame – Condor 653 tubing
· Group set – Ultegra 10 speed, 12-30 triple chain set, but only using 28 and 39, 52 is blanked off. This allows me to use less chain, making it last longer
· Wheels – Ultegra hubs (36 spoke) and Mavic CXP 33 rims
· Tyres – Schwalbe Marathon Plus
· Saddle – Specialized
· Peddles – Shimano DX SPD
· 2 x Pannier Bags (rear top bag and a bar bag)
· Front and rear lights
Special thanks to Martin and Jackie Reed of City Cycles who prepared my bike and a big thank you to Martin Guarnaccio who built my wheels.
Clothing
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| Jackie Reed, me, Martin Reed and Martin Guarnaccio |
· 6 x Shorts
· 3 x Cycling Tops
· 3 x Cycling Vests
· 3 x Pairs of Black Socks
· Leg and knee warmers
· 3 x Pairs of Mits
· 1 x Gloves
· 1 x Thermal Top
· 1 x Guillet
· 1 x Shoe Covers (waterproof)
· 1 x Pair of Cycling Shoes (Specialized)
· 1 x Lightweight Rain Top
· 1 x Heavier Rain Top
· 5 x Cycling Caps
· 1 x Crash Helmet
· 1 x Waterproof Helmet Cover
Spares
· Spokes
· 4 x Inner Tubes
· Chain Extractor
· Allen Keys
Other Essentials
· American Plug Adaptor
· Electric Razor
· Lip Seal
· Suntan Lotion
· Tin Opener
· Plastic Bowl and Spoon
· Roll of Plastic Tape
· Maps
· Credit and Debit Card
· Insurance
· Passport
· Visa
· Money
· Mobile Phone and Tablet
· First Aid Plasters
· Baby Wipes
· Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Flying in to Boston
I will be using Virgin Atlantic Airways and flying in to Logan Airport. Virgin allows you 23kgs sports allowance inclusive in the price of your ticket. I used them in 2010 but unfortunately they damaged my chain set, but I suppose this is the risk you take. Hopefully the bike will be damage free this time.
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| The Route. 8,557 miles
Tour Route
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